The Shadow of Indebtedness: Bridewealth and Norms Constraining Female Reproductive Autonomy

Christine Horne; F. Nii Amoo Dodoo; Naa D. Dodoo

doi:10.1177/0003122413484923

The Shadow of Indebtedness: Bridewealth and Norms Constraining Female Reproductive Autonomy

Christine Horne, F. Nii Amoo Dodoo, Naa D. Dodoo

Sociology and Criminology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bridewealth is fundamental to marriage in Africa. Anthropological research provides substantial information regarding characteristics of the bridewealth transaction, but scholars and policymakers know little about its consequences for women in contemporary Africa. We argue that the payment of bridewealth strengthens normative constraints on women's autonomy in the reproductive domain. We test and find support for our argument using a unique vignette experiment conducted with rural women in the Volta Region of Ghana.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	503-520
Number of pages	18
Journal	American sociological review
Volume	78
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122413484923
State	Published - Jun 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Sociology and Political Science

UN SDGs

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10.1177/0003122413484923

Cite this

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abstract = "Bridewealth is fundamental to marriage in Africa. Anthropological research provides substantial information regarding characteristics of the bridewealth transaction, but scholars and policymakers know little about its consequences for women in contemporary Africa. We argue that the payment of bridewealth strengthens normative constraints on women's autonomy in the reproductive domain. We test and find support for our argument using a unique vignette experiment conducted with rural women in the Volta Region of Ghana.",

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The Shadow of Indebtedness: Bridewealth and Norms Constraining Female Reproductive Autonomy

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

UN SDGs

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